Low Income & Subsidized Housing in Merced, CA
There are 28 subsidized and income-restricted properties in Merced with roughly 1,916 assisted units — including 7 project-based Section 8 buildings, 2 public housing developments, and 22 LIHTC tax-credit communities, according to HUD administrative data. Reported tenant-paid rents across these buildings range from about $364 to $502 per month. Median reported wait: about 50 months.
Complete directory of subsidized housing in Merced
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grove Apts LIHTC | 204 | — | — |
| Gateway Homes Public Housing | 176 | $502 | 50 mo |
| Laurel Glen LIHTC | 128 | — | — |
| Sunnyside Apts LIHTC | 121 | — | — |
| The Retreat at Merced Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 119 | — | — |
| Sunny View Apts I LIHTC | 113 | — | — |
| Sierra Meadows Apts LIHTC | 99 | — | — |
| Willowbrook Apts Ii LIHTC | 96 | — | — |
| Tioga Apts LIHTC | 90 | — | — |
| Alamar Apts Ii LIHTC | 80 | — | — |
| Willowbrook Apts I LIHTC | 80 | — | — |
| Merced Commons I PB Section 8 | 76 | $424 | — |
| Woodbridge Place LIHTCPB Section 8 | 75 | — | — |
| Merced Commons Ii PB Section 8 | 71 | $395 | — |
| Gateway Terrace LIHTCPB Section 8 | 66 | — | — |
| Gateway Terrace LIHTC | 66 | — | — |
| Merced Golden Manor PB Section 8 | 50 | $375 | — |
| Merced Gardens PB Section 8 | 47 | $364 | — |
| Sca Homes LIHTC | 30 | — | — |
| Childs Avenue Apts LIHTC | 27 | — | — |
| Alamar Apts I LIHTC | 24 | — | — |
| Glenhaven Park LIHTC | 15 | — | — |
| Haven Park Partners Ii LIHTC | 15 | — | — |
| Haven Park Partners Iii LIHTC | 15 | — | — |
| Haven Park Partners Iv LIHTC | 12 | — | — |
| Sca Homes LIHTC | 10 | — | — |
| Scattered Sites Public Housing | 6 | — | — |
| Glen Haven Park LIHTC | 5 | — | — |
Section 8 apartments in Merced (project-based)
These buildings carry HUD Section 8 contracts attached to the units — apply at each management office rather than through the voucher waitlist. How project-based Section 8 works →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Retreat at Merced Apartments LIHTCPB Section 8 | 119 | — | — |
| Merced Commons I PB Section 8 | 76 | $424 | — |
| Woodbridge Place LIHTCPB Section 8 | 75 | — | — |
| Merced Commons Ii PB Section 8 | 71 | $395 | — |
| Gateway Terrace LIHTCPB Section 8 | 66 | — | — |
| Merced Golden Manor PB Section 8 | 50 | $375 | — |
| Merced Gardens PB Section 8 | 47 | $364 | — |
Public housing developments in Merced
Rents here are set at about 30% of household income and managed by the local housing authority. About the public housing program →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway Homes Public Housing | 176 | $502 | 50 mo |
| Scattered Sites Public Housing | 6 | — | — |
LIHTC & affordable tax-credit apartments in Merced
Tax-credit units rent below market rate for households within income bands (often 30–60% of Area Median Income). Understanding LIHTC →
| Property | Units | Avg rent | Reported wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grove Apts LIHTC | 204 | — | — |
| Laurel Glen LIHTC | 128 | — | — |
| Sunnyside Apts LIHTC | 121 | — | — |
| Sunny View Apts I LIHTC | 113 | — | — |
| Sierra Meadows Apts LIHTC | 99 | — | — |
| Willowbrook Apts Ii LIHTC | 96 | — | — |
| Tioga Apts LIHTC | 90 | — | — |
| Alamar Apts Ii LIHTC | 80 | — | — |
| Willowbrook Apts I LIHTC | 80 | — | — |
| Gateway Terrace LIHTC | 66 | — | — |
| Sca Homes LIHTC | 30 | — | — |
| Childs Avenue Apts LIHTC | 27 | — | — |
| Alamar Apts I LIHTC | 24 | — | — |
| Glenhaven Park LIHTC | 15 | — | — |
| Haven Park Partners Ii LIHTC | 15 | — | — |
How to apply for subsidized housing in Merced
- Apply to buildings directly. Project-based Section 8, public housing, §202/§811 and LIHTC properties run their own waitlists — contact each office using the details on its page.
- Join voucher waitlists. Your regional housing authority administers Housing Choice Vouchers; ask about current openings and preferences. Step-by-step application guide →
- Document everything. ID, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and income proof speed up both paths.
- Stay reachable. Update your address everywhere — missed mail is the top reason applicants lose spots.
Nearby cities with low income housing
- Dos Palos, CA
- Livingston, CA
- Los Banos, CA
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- San Diego, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
Data: HUD Picture of Subsidized Households & LIHTC database (2024 vintage). Figures are administrative averages — confirm current availability with each property.